I don't think that I have ever introduced myself although I have
lurked on here for a while. I live in N. New Mexico about 20 mi north
of Santa Fe in a semi rural area.

Gardening has been a real challenge due to the harshness of the area
and the lack of water. The soil in my yard varies from area to area
but it is sandy and nutrient poor. Underneath is a hard pan.

I moved here from Ventura county in Calif about 8 years ago. Back
there I was spoiled. You could just throw vegtable seeds in the
ground and they would come up, now problems.

My first year I tried to plant squash of different kinds but some
rather nasty bugs (squash bugs) killed all of it. I wouldn't use
pesticides anyway but I was told that these bugs actually flourished
on malathion anyway.

The next year different squash that we had bought at the market and
thrown out in the yard came up on their own. So this is how it has
been. I do mininal digging but really there seems to be a process of
natural selection. That is nature selects what will grow. Trying to
get exotic things to grow is too much work.
tiv
Although I don't prescribe to any particular method, except intuitive
gardening, I find my ideas seem to be merging allot with what is
discussed here. Regular organic farming does have an impact on the
natural processes even though it is more benign than chemicals.

I would like to no more about how micro organisms operate within soil.
I believe that they are the key to understanding allot about small
footprint gardening.

I like the article in your files section on wild plants and their
nutrition. I have been think that in the spring I want to encourage
more of these to come up such as dandelions, lambs quarters, etc. I
want to find out more about half wild plants and their nutritional
benefits. What is healthy for me is healthy for my yard.